From Toy Cameras to Timeless Memories: How It All Began
The number one question I get asked—besides “how much do you charge?”—is:
“How did you become a photographer?”
So I wanted to write this blog, not just to answer that, but in hopes that it helps someone out there who’s just getting started or dreaming of becoming a photographer, too.
For me, it started way before I ever considered it a career. I was just 2 or 3 years old when I picked up my first camera. It wasn’t mine—it belonged to my dad, who was a photographer. He always had cameras lying around, and one of my earliest memories is playing with one like it was a toy. I had no clue how to use it, but something about it felt powerful—even magical.
As I got older, I started helping out at my dad’s photo studio in San Bernardino. I’d run errands, hold gear, and just be around it all. I didn’t realize it then, but those early experiences were shaping the way I saw the world—through light, expression, connection, and storytelling. Through a lens.
The First Camera That Was Truly Mine
Eventually, I got my own camera—a little Sony digital camera I took everywhere. I snapped photos of sunsets, pets, food, friends, trees—anything and everything. I didn’t care about the settings; I just wanted to capture what I saw. That little camera taught me more than I realized at the time. It gave me permission to create.
Later, I saved up for my first “real” camera: a Canon 6D. That’s when I started taking photography seriously. I took classes, learned how to use light intentionally, studied angles and composition, and started figuring out how to make photos that not only looked good but felt like something.
Today, I shoot with a Sony A7 and my go-to lens, the Sigma Art 24–70mm. But what I’ve learned along the way is this: gear helps, but it’s never the whole story.
You Don’t Need Fancy Gear to Start
One of the biggest myths in photography is that you need expensive equipment to get going. It’s simply not true.
The best camera is the one you already have—yes, even your phone. Today’s phones are better than most point-and-shoot cameras from just ten years ago. And what really matters when you’re starting out isn’t megapixels or full-frame sensors—it’s your eye. It’s how you see the world and what you choose to share from it.
You don’t need to wait until you can afford the “best” gear. You just need to start creating with what you’ve got.
7 Honest Tips for Aspiring Photographers
Whether you’re picking up a camera for the first time or reigniting an old passion, here’s some real, heart-to-heart advice I’d give anyone just starting out:
Start with what you have.
Use your phone. Borrow a camera. Don’t wait for perfect gear. The best way to improve is to start.Practice daily.
Capture the little moments—your coffee, your dog, sunlight through the window. The more you shoot, the more you’ll train your eye to see beauty in the ordinary.Invest in yourself—it’s the best investment you’ll ever make.
Take a class. Read photography books. Watch YouTube tutorials. Study your favorite photographers’ work and try to recreate the photos you love—not to copy them, but to learn how they were made. Growth starts with curiosity and commitment.Learn the basics.
Understand light. Master composition. Get comfortable adjusting your settings. The fundamentals will take you farther than any fancy equipment ever could.Stay curious.
Ask questions. Explore different styles. Experiment. When something catches your eye, shoot it—even if it doesn’t make sense yet. Curiosity is the spark behind creativity.Don’t rush to upgrade.
Use your current gear until it limits you. Expensive cameras don’t make you better—practice does. When you do upgrade, do it intentionally.Be patient with your style.
Everyone starts by mimicking what they admire. Over time, your own voice will come through. Don’t rush the process. Your style will evolve with you—and that’s a beautiful thing.
It’s Not Just the Photography That Grows—You Do, Too
Here’s something I wish more people told me when I started:
It’s not just about the photos. It’s about the person you become in the process.
When you commit to photography, you end up learning so much more than how to use a camera. You learn how to communicate with clients. How to handle pressure. How to manage your time, your brand, your business.
You learn how to sell your services, how to market yourself, how to create an experience that’s bigger than a photo. You become a storyteller, a creative, a problem solver, a small business owner.
It’s not just about the journey or the destination—it’s about the growth. The confidence you gain. The way you carry yourself. The skills you never expected to develop. That’s what makes it all worth it.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s this:
You don’t have to wait until you feel “ready.” You don’t need a perfect plan or the perfect gear. You just need to start. Messy, curious, and open to learning.
My journey started with a camera I didn’t know how to use and a heart full of wonder. I had no idea it would become my career, my creative outlet, and my connection to people around the world.
But it did—and if it can happen for me, it can happen for you.
So grab whatever camera you’ve got, and begin. Your story is already unfolding. Capture it.
And if you ever need someone to root for you—know that I am.
Let’s Connect
Got a creative idea you’ve been thinking about? Want to collaborate on a project together?
Leave a comment below and share what’s on your mind—let’s see if we can make it happen.
And if you have any questions about photography, getting started, gear, or just need someone to talk shop with, I’d be more than happy to answer.
Let’s grow together. 💬📸
